Does anyone have any experience importing new appliances from the UK for personal use to NZ?

I have been looking for a new washer and dryer and came across an Australian forum for importing euro appliances and saving a bundle, with the dollar/pound being so good I figure now might be the opportune time, but before progressing wanted to see if anyone here had experience doing the same or if anyone sees any red flags.

I've contacted a seller in the UK who can sell VAT exclusive so I don't need to worry about claiming back, and have contacted a couple of repack/forwarders who can palletise & protective pack the items for LCL shipping to Auckland.

Total: 0.43m3 and <170 Kg + treated wood pallet and packaging is £275 to Auckland port, clearance and local charges I'm estimating at $160. Customs site lists duty of 5% for both washers and dryers, then GST applied. HiFX to transfer currency at >£0.55:NZ$1.00

Looking at landed cost of around NZ$4638 - $5094 depending on what the currency does between now and when I would have to pay duty & GST, budgeting for shift from 0.55 to 0.48:1.

Equivalent models in NZ retail for $3499 each which never really discount, so potential saving from importing of $1904 - $2360.

Con's - no CGA & unsure about international warranty (unlikely) although standard warranty in NZ only 2 years from memory.

The question I have that I haven't been able to find an answer yet - legality of changing the plugs to AS/NZS 3112 plug, any worries here? And while I intend to hang onto these for a long time, would there be any issue selling one day?

Thanks for the reply guys. From the technical data of the dryer, the total connected load in kW is 1.1, so current would be around 5A at 240V? Is that correct so standard 10A socket/plug would be fine?

Thanks for the reply guys. From the technical data of the dryer, the total connected load in kW is 1.1, so current would be around 5A at 240V? Is that correct so standard 10A socket/plug would be fine?

Depends on what the nameplate says, but yeah it should be good. As the UK makes them rate the cable to what the fuse is in the plug and they only really have a 3 or 13A fuse available, the cable may be 1.25 or 1.5mm cable, which will not fit in the average cheap crappy plug from bunnings and you will need to find a heavy duty plug like used for long extension cords which are 1.5mm. There may be a HPM one available at bunnings that does it but I have found them a prick to work with, with poor quality molding meaning they have sharp edges and they used a hopeless live hinge in the plastic to hold it all together. PDL plug from the wholesalers will be the go.

As far as changing UK to NZ plugs go, no sparkie required if the plug draws less than 10A. Mine were all 'used' when I moved here, as I brought a container load of household stuff with me. For the first few months I simply used a 10A 'quality' multi adaptor that had its own 10A fuse with an NZ plug on the wire to plug into the wall. After never tripping this plug, I slowly changed out the plugs for each device (iron/kettle/dishwasher/washing machine/dryer/ hairdryer etc) over the next few months, and now have only a single uk/NZ adapter left for a "wall wart" I have yet to find a local equivalent for (wife's DVR charger).

FWIW I did use the $3.50 Mitre10 cheapie plugs, and had no worries at all. Key step was the quality UK power adapter with inbuilt 10A fuse which validated the whole process initially.

A friend who did a year and a bit in the UK was told by the movers to not use the original boxes for the TV and stereo stuff when coming back, if that was just so they could sell their crating service or what is something best left to you to decide ;)